Ashes series in Australia, World Cup to test England team’s abilities: Collingwood

Perth, Oct 31(ANI): England all-rounder Paul Collingwood has said that the current tour of Australia and next year’s World Cup will be the ultimate experience for the Andrew Strauss-led squad.

“There are no bigger prizes than the Ashes and the World Cup that are up for grabs between now and April and we are fully aware of the words of our captain Andrew Strauss that ‘people only remember winners’,” Collingwood wrote in an article for the Daily Mail.

“I consider it not only a challenge and a true test of what we are about and how good we are, but also a privilege and, right now, I wouldn’t swap my life for the world. But there is no doubt that the opportunity carries a price tag.”

“For all the team, it is six weeks away from the family before they come out to join us in early December, after the second Test in Adelaide,” he added.

The England team arrived in Australia on Saturday aiming to be the first team since Mike Gatting’ 1986-87 team to win the urn Down Under.

The first of the five Ashes Tests will be held at the Gabba in Brisbane from November 25 to 29.It will be followed by Tests in Adelaide, Perth, Melbourne and Sydney.The tour also has two Twenty20 internationals and a seven-match ODI series. (ANI)